Over the years, I've often said that bushcraft and survival are about far more than tools and techniques. It’s a way of thinking - of reading the land, anticipating change, and staying calm under pressure. Interestingly, one of the most unlikely but powerful ways I've trained that mindset is through a game many don't associate with the wild at all: chess.
Yes, chess. I have recently picked up my childhood passion again and have realised whilst relearning the skills required, how much crosses over into my bushcraft and survival learning.
Whether I'm sheltering from the rain under a tarp in the woods or sitting beside a fire in a quiet corner of the Peak District, a small folding chess set often finds its way into my kit. And while it's good company on long evenings, it also serves a deeper purpose - it sharpens the exact mental skills that survival and bushcraft demand.
Strategic Thinking
In both chess and the outdoors, it's not enough to think about what's in front of you. You've got to think ahead. In a game, that might mean laying a trap two or three moves in advance. In the field, it means planning your route based on changing weather, water sources, or fading light.
I remember once while walking in the Welsh hills, I misread the topography and ended up hours behind schedule. I hadn't accounted for the boggy ground after a week of rain. Just like misjudging your opponent's next move in chess, that oversight had knock-on effects for the rest of the day. Since then, I've learned to pause, assess, and look beyond the immediate - something regular chess practice helps reinforce.
Situational Awareness
A chessboard teaches you to scan constantly, not just fixate on one part of the board. The wild does too. When you're out tracking in the wild or setting up camp in a woodland, it pays to notice small things - a shift in bird calls, fresh badger prints, or wind against your cheek. These subtle cues tell you what's happening around you and prepare you to respond.
Patience and Precision
You can't rush a chess game, and you certainly can't rush bushcraft. Try rushing a bow-drill fire or a hand-carved spoon and you'll likely end up frustrated. Patience is something the natural world teaches well, and chess reinforces it in another setting. Waiting for the right move in chess builds the same discipline as creating the right preparation to light a fire in wet conditions.
Problem Solving Under Pressure
Survival isn't always about textbook knowledge - it's about adapting. You might find yourself with some broken equipment, or needing to find water unexpectedly in the hills. Chess builds that adaptability. You're often working with limited resources on the board, just as you are in the field. You learn to stay calm, think clearly, and use what you've got.
So while it may seem like an odd pairing, I firmly believe the skills honed over 64 squares have real-world value in the woods. Both require calm focus, deliberate action, and an ability to see patterns before they unfold. Next time you're preparing for a wild camp or waiting out a storm under your tarp, break out a game of chess. You might find that it prepares your mind for the bush as surely as the sharp knife in your kit.